Taking two different triptans (drugs such as Imitrex, or sumatriptan, Maxalt, or rizatriptan and other) within 24 hours of each other is contraindicated according to the FDA. However, there is no scientific reason for such prohibition. You are allowed to take a second dose of the same triptan 2 hours after the first dose, so it makes no sense why you could not take a different one. Most of the triptans (five out of seven) get washed out from the body within 2 – 3 hours, so even if there was an interaction between different triptans (and there is absolutely no evidence for that) it would be safe to give a different one 3 hours later. A report in the latest issue of the journal Headache by Dr. Rothrock studied 200 patients who “mixed triptans”, that is took a shot of sumatriptan and two hours before or after a tablet of either rizatriptan (Maxalt, zolmitriptan (Zomig), almotriptan (Axert), or eletriptan (Relpax). He found that not only there were no problems, patients were highly satisfied with this approach. I also hear from my patients that sometimes they know that one tablet of a triptan will not be enough for their severe attack and they will take two at once. Many doctors strongly advise their patients against it, but there is no evidence of any great danger from a higher dose. These dosages were arrived at by looking for an optimal dose which provides good relief and few side effects and for most people the standard dose will suffice. But some people need higher amounts. In case of eletriptan (Relpax), 20 mg and 40 mg are available in the US, but in some European countries it is available in 80 mg. It is clear that some patients benefit from a higher than recommended dose without an increase in side effects.
